Milking apparatus.



D. T. SHARPLES. MILKING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JAILE, 1911.

, Patented Jan. .1 6,1912.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

m N E V M rrow 2 D. T. SHARPLES.

MILKING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5, 1 911.

' Patented Jan. 16, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES.-

Alum,

D. T. SHARPLES. MYILKING APPARATUS. APPLICATION I'TLED JAN.5, 1911.

masses; 7 hrs/W00 W- flax/[elf 3% W Patented M16, 1912.

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' MILKING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 16, 1912.

Application filed January 5, 1911. Serial No. 600,963.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID TOWNSEND SHARPLES, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Chester, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, have in vented certain Improvements in Milking Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My improvements in milking apparatus relate to means for effecting the pulsating action desired in such apparatus, and its leading object improved construction and efliciency.

The invention, in its preferred form, comprises the combination, with pressure and vacuum apparatus, of a pulsator having a bearing member provided with passages connected with the respective conduits, 'a journaled member provided with passages adapted for communication with the passages of the bearing member, a cylinder on the .journale'd member having passages communicating with passages aforesaid, and a piston adapted to be reciprocated by pressure in said cylinder to rock said journaled member. In this construction, a fitting is applied to the conduits and a hanger for the valve mechanism is connected by quick coupling means to the fitting, means being provided whereby periodic pressures alternating with longer periods of suction are applied to the outer chambers of the teat cups, while suction is applied through a milk receiver to the inner chamber of the teat cups. But the construction of the pulsator may be modified as by having a stationary valve member supported on the milk pail, a valve member journaled therein, and a tilter tube fixed to the journaled member. The apparatus embodying these improvements is susceptible of ready adjustment. to regulate to the periods of applying vacuum and pressure, as well as the relative degrees thereof.

The characteristic construction and operation of the apparatus, with the advantages thereof, are more fully disclosed in the following description and the accompanying drawings' In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of apparatus embodying m y improvements; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. t is a sectional view taken of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a seeis to provide a pulsator of' desired relation the relative tional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on the line (i6 of Fig. 2-; Fig. 7 is an end elevation of they hanger and valve body with parts removed; Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation representing a modified form of the appara tus; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of details taken on the-line 9-9 of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is an irregular sectional View taken through the stationary bearing on the line 101O of Fig. 9.

The apparatus, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, comprises a pipe 1 from. which air is exhausted anda pipe 2 in which air is compressed. A fitting 3, provided with the seats 3 and 3, is clamped on the vacuum and'pressure pipes 1 and 2 by means of the bearing member 4., which rests on the pipes, and the screws 5 which pass through the member 4 into the member 3; the fitting containing the passages 3 and 3 which communicatewith the respective pipes 1 and 2 and. are controlled by the 6 and 7. End bearings 3 and 3 are formed on the fitting for the connection of the hanger 8. which supports the valve mechanism, and a tie rod 1 passes through the part. 4 into the part 3 to support the apparatus. The hanger 8 is provided with. the T-bolt 8, which hooks on and makes a hinged engagement with the bifurcated bearing3, and with the latch 8 having the bar 8' which rides over and snaps on the catch or bearing 3. The latch is pivoted intermediate of its length on the fulcrum 10 and is pressed by a spring 10 which is held on the fulcrum, while the bar 8 is provided with eccentric bearings 8" permitting its adjustment to regulate the action of the latch and the pressure of the hanger against. the fitting, the pressure being likewise regulable by the adjustment of the bolt 8.

The hanger 8 is provided with the hollow columns 8 and 8 having on the lower ends thereof the respective bearing rings 8 and 8. A cylindrical valve body 11 is supported by the rings 8 and 8 and has journaled thereon, between the rings, avalve 12 which carries a cylinder 12 containing a piston 12", the valve and cylinder having a rocking movement limited by the engagement of the bosses 12 of the latter with the cushions 8 on the arms 8 of the hanger. A tube 13 is screwed into and passes through the column 8 the tube having a rubber gasket 13 set in I the top thereof, for making close engagerespective valves meet with the fitting 3 around the passage and'a lower end 13 beveled to ma ea close lit with the portll of the intersecting passages 11 and 11 of the valve body 11. A tube 14 is screwed into and passes through the column 8*, the tube having a rubber gasket 1 1 set in the top thereof for makin close engagement with the fitting 3 around the passage 3 and the lower end 14 beveled to make a close fit with'the port 11 of the passage 11 in the valve-body 11. The passage 11- communicates with the passage through the nipple 8, which is connected to the rubber tubelfi; the tube is connected with the interior of the pail 16 through the cover 16 having the valve casin lfi -provided with the nipple 16* which 1s engaged by the tube, the casing communicating with the interior of the pail through the port 16 controlled by the puppet valve 16; and the interior of the pail is connected through the valve casing 16", controlled by the valve 16, and a nipple 16' thereof, with the rubber tube 17 which communicates with the inner chamber 18 of a'teat cup 18 having-an outer chamber 18" separated from the inner chamber by an elastic tube 18.

The

i 1 body 11 has a port 11 communicating with the passage 11, a port 11 with an intersect ing channel 11 communicating with a passage 11 leading to the atmosphere, a port 11 communicatin with the passage 11, a port 11 connecte by thepassage 11 with the passage 11 and a port 11 communicating with the passage 11". A valve '19, having a ii-shaped port 19' adapted to register with the port 11, "is fixed on a valve stem I 19' which can be turned by the handle 19 to adjust the passage through these ports,

the stem being journaledin a nut 20 and having a collar 19" which is pressed against the nut by a spring 21 disposed in the end of the passage 11. A red 22 is screwed into the body 11 so that it can be adjusted to regulate the passage 11 and the air flowing therethrough; The valve 12 is provided with the channel 12 adapted to. communicate by the valves port 12 alternately with the ports 11, 11 11 when the valve is rocked. A nipple 12 connects the channel 12 with the rubber tube 23 which is connected with the nipple 18 communicating with the teat cup chamber 18". Ports 12 and 12 of the valve'12 are connected by the respective ducts 12 and 12 with the opposite ends of the cylinder or tilter-tube 12,

. the ports 12 and 12 being adapted for registration with the respective ports 11 and 11 by rocking the tube.

In operation, the hanger 8 is snapped to operative position in relation to the fixture 3. The valves 6 and 7 areopene'd and air is exhausted from the parts 13, 11 ,11", 11, 8, 15, 16 and 16, while pressure is communicated through the parts 14,11, 11

other of the ports 11 and 11 will be in registration with the corresponding port 12 or 12 whereby pressure communicated through v the duct 12 or 12 with which communication has been established will mo the piston 12 from the lower end of thtftube'toward the upper end from which the air passes through the other duct whose port is now in registration with the channel 11 and the port 11 communicating with the atmosphere. The piston having passed beyond the center of'the tube, the, latter is rocked and compressed air is admitted to the now lower end thereof, whereby the pis ton is returned and tilts the tube back again. When, in the oscillation of the tube, the port 12 is in registration with theport ll the port 12 is in registration with the-"port 11 and pressure is communicated through the channel 12and tube 23 to the teat cup chamber 18". Whenthe port 12 is in registration with the port 11 the port 12 registers with the port ll and vacuum will be applied through the passage 12 and tube 23 to the teat cup chamber '18". As the valve 19 can be adjusted to cut down the passage through the port 11 to any desired degree, the pressure communicated to the exterior teat cup chamber can be regulated,

and as the rod 22 can be adjusted to control the air passing through the port 11, while the air passing through the port 11 is not reduced, the action of the piston 12 can be regulated so that it will be thrown more quickly when the ports 11 and 12 are in registration than when the ports 11 and 12 register, whereby the time of registration between the ports 11 and 12 is longer than the time of registration between the ports 11 and 12 and suction will be applied for the desired longer period to the teat cup chamber 18 than is the pressure. The cup 18 being applied to the teat and the valve 16 opened, suction is applied to the chamber 18 and suction alternating with pressure is applied to the chamber 18.

The lubrication of the valve is efi'ected by the application of an oil cup 11' to an end of the valve body or arbor 11, in which is formed a longitudinal oilpassage 11 communicating with a transverse passage 11*, the latter communicating at. its ends with the longitudinal channels 11 for holding and distributing oil. The admission of oil from the cup 11' to the passage 11 is controlled by a screw l1 having the flattened or gropved partll.

The construction may be modified as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10 inclusive, where the valve casing 16, on the cover 16 of the pail 16, carries a. valve seat or body 24:. The body 2 1 is provided with a barrel 24 which screws intothe casing 16* and guides the valve 16 which controls the port 16, the body having the ports 24 communicate with the barrel. A cylindrical valve 25 is journaled in the body 24, and is provided with the ports 25*, 25 and 25 adapted for registration with the port 24. The port 25* communicates with the atmosphere passage 25, the port. 25 communi: cates with the pressure duct 25 and the ort 25 communicates with the vacuum duct 25. A cylinder 26, containing a piston 27, is provided with a nipple 26 which is seated in the valve 25 and communicates by the duct 26. and port 26" with an'end of the cylinder, the 'other end of which is provided with a vent 26' The valve 25 is provided with a passage 25 which connects the nipple 26 with the latter being in constantcommunication with the port 24". The cylinder or tiltertube 26 will normally assume an incline.

position with the piston 27 at the lower end thereof. Assuming that the port 25" registers with the port 24", then air pressure is communicated through the tube 23' which leads, as illustrated in Fig. -1, to the outer chamber of the teat cup, and through the passages 24 25 and 26 to the lower end of the cylinder 26, the piston being moved toward thehigher end of the cylinder which is tilted thereby and the port 25 brought into registration with the port 24*. Vacuum is now applied through the casing 16 to the tube 23 and the exterior chamber of bearing member or the teat cup; throughthe port 16 to the interior ot' the pail 16, and through the tube 17 to the interior chamber of the teat cup when the valve 16 is open. Simultaneously vacuum is applied to the elevated end of the cylinder 26 through the passages 24, 25 and 26', the piston being elevated by air pressure admitted through the opening 26.

In the foregoing constructions, since the outer chamber of the teat cup it directly connected with the atmosphere in the central position of the pulsator, the compressed air in this chamber will exhaust directly into the atmosphere and the vacuum in this chamber will be replaced by air supplied directly from the atmosphere, whereby a large saving is effected in the operations of applying pressure and creating vacuum in the chamber.

It will be observed that in each of the forms shown the valve ports are so placed that the weight of the oscillating mechanism maintains close contact and keeps the ports of the -valve in close engagement with the the ports thereof, whereby leakage is avoided.

The apparatus is not only simple and eflicient in operation, but easily installed. The parts 3 and 4 can be clamped on the pneumatic tubes 1 anti 2 at any point, the passages i and 3" can be drilled through the and 24: which an elongated port 25",

fitting into the tubes with avoidance of the usual ditliculties of effecting registration between holes in the tubes and connections, and the tie rod 9 can from the desired point of the ceiling for supporting the parts depending thereon.

Having described'my invention, I claim:

1. In a milking apparatus, a pulsu or comprising a bearing member having a passage therein, a journaled member having a passage therein adapted for communication wit-hthe passage aforesaid, a tilter-tube connected with said journaled member, a piston in said tilter-tube, and means for connecting said, tube with said passage of said journaled member.

2. In a milking apparatus, a pulsator comprising a valve bo y, a valve fulcrumed by means of said body, a tilting device fixed to said valve, a traveling device carriedby. said tilting device, and means whereby said traveling device is actuated to operate said tilting device.

3. In a milking apparatus, a pulsator comprising a bearing member, a journaled member supported by said bearing member, a cylinder fixedto said journaledmember, a piston adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder, and means for reciprocating said. piston in said cylinder.

.4. In a milking apparatus, a pulsator comprisinq a valve body, a journaledvalve fulcrume by means of'said body, a cylinder carried by said valve and a piston adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder, said mechanism having means whereby pressure is communicated to said cylinder and piston.

5. In a milking apparatus, a hanger having a bearing member, a valve body supported by said bearing member, a valve journaled on said body, and. means for turning said valve on said body.

6. In a milking apparatus, ing bearing rings, supported'by said rings, a valve journaled on said body between said rings. and-means for rocking said valve on said body.

7. In a milking apparatus, the combination of a conduit, a fitting connected therewith, and a hanger connected with said fit.- ting, witha valve mechanism comprising a bearing member supported by said hanger, a rocking member fulcrumcd by said hearing member, and means for operating said rocking member.

, 8. In a milking apparatus, vacuum and pressure conduits, in combination with a a hanger havtitting having passages con'n'nimu-ating with be conveniently dropped a cylindrical valve body stationary valve member, said rocking valve 9. In a milking apparatus, a fitting having bearing members, ahanger having bearing members, said members comprising a hinge and a latch, and valve mechanism supported by said hanger.

' L 10. In a milking'apparatus, the combination of a fitting having passages, valves for controlllng said passages, and bearings, with a hanger having passages communicating with the passages of said fitting, a hear ing adapted for engaging a bearing of said fitting, and a latch adapted for engaging a second bearing of said fitting.

11. In a milking apparatus, the combination of a fitting having passages therein,

.with a hanger having means for engaging said fitting and columns containing passages communicatingwith the passages of said fitting, a valve body containing passages communicating with the passages of said columns, and a valve having a passage adapted to communicate with the passages of said body.

12. In a milking apparatus, the combination of a pulsator comprising a bearing member having a passage therein, a jour-' naled member having passages therein adapted for communication with the passage aforesaid, and a cylinder for operating said journaled member and having a passage communicating with a passage of said journaled member, with a pail, a teat cup having an inner and an outer chamber, means for connecting said inner chamber with said pail, and means for. connecting said pulsator with said outer chamber.

13. In a milking apparatus, a fitting containing passages, a hanger having hollow columns, tubes in said columns adapted toregister with said passages, bearing members supported by said columns, a valve body supported by said members and engaged by sald tubes, said body having passages communicating with said tubes, and a valve 'journaled on said body, said valve having a passage adapted for communication with the passages of said body. I

14. In a milking apparatus, a pulsator comprising a stationary member and a journaled member fulcrumed by said stationary member, said members having passages which are caused to register by oscillating said journaled member, a cylinder carried by said journaled member, said cylinder containing a passage communicating with a passage of said journaled member, and a piston in said cylinder.

15. In a-milking apparatus, a vacuum duct and a pressure duct, a pulsator and means for connecting said pulsator with said ducts; said pulsator comprislng a member oreen having a passage communicating with said vacuum duct and a passage communicating with said pressure duct, a second member havin a passage adapted for communicating with said passages alternately, a cylinder having a passage adapted for communiv eating with the. second named passage, and means for regulating the air pressure com municated through said connected passages to said cylinder.

16. In a milking apparatus, a stationary valve member, a journaled valve member fulcrumed by said stationary member, a cylinder carried by said journaled member, and a piston in said cylinder, said members having passages by which pressure is communicated to said cylinder and means fer regulating said pressure.

. 17. In a milking apparatus, the combina tion of a teat cup having an outer chamber, with a pulsator comprising a stationary member and a journaled member having communicating passages, means whereby pressure and vacuum are applied under con.- trol of said members to said chamber, and means whereby the pressure period is rendered shorter than the vacuum period.

' 18. In a milking apparatus, a stationary Valve member, a journaled valve member alternately to opposite ends of said by the periods of suction are renderedlonger I than the periods of pressure.

20. In a milking apparatus, a teat cup having an. inner and an outer compartment, a receptacle connected with said inher compartment, a pulsator connected with said receptacle and outer compartment, and vacuum and pressure conduits connected with said pulsator, said pulsator having meanswhereby vacuum is applied through saidreceptacle to said inner compartment, pressure is applied intermittently to said outer compartment, vacuum is applied intermittently to said outer compartment, and the relative periods of the intermittent vacuum and pressure are varied.

21. In a-milking apparatus, the combination of a pulsator, with a fitting, a pneumatic tube to which said fitting is fixed, and a tie rod whereby said fitting and tube are supported.

22..In .a milking apparatus, a conduit,

means comprising-1a, fitting clamped on said conduit, said fitting and conduit having a sages communicating with passages aforecontinuous. passage c ut therein, and means said. comprising a pulsator having a passage In witness whereof I have hereunto set communicating with the passage aforesaid. my name this 24th day of December 1910,

.5 d 23. In; milking appariiltusijipaifi 05 conin the presence of the subscribing witnesses. s

uits, a. ttin means w ere sai ttin is clamped on s aid conduits, saii i'fitting hav I DAVID- IO-WNSEND Q S ing a. pair of passages communicating with I Witnesses:

passages cut in the respective conduits, and .MARY B. DARLINGTON 10 means comprising a pulsator having pas HENRY B. OARLISLE.

' Copies of this'patent may be obtained for five cents each, by adi h'essing the Commissioner of Patentl, f Washington, D. 0; 

